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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-VOLKSWAGEN-JETTA
2011 · volkswagen

volkswagen Jetta problems

2 safety recalls. 639 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
178 reports · avg $850
severe
fuel system
91 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
engine
63 reports · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
48 reports · avg $2,500
severe
airbags
25 reports · avg $1,100
severe
steering
23 reports · avg $700
severe
lighting
20 reports · avg $250
moderate
brakes
17 reports · avg $450
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 Jetta · electrical Crash
IGNITION SWITCH KEY LOCK SOLENOID (N376) PROBLEM. HELLO, MY WIFE'S 2011 JETTA HAS A MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. PERHAPS THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY LOCK SOLENOID (N376)? NORMALLY THE KEY SHOULD BE LOCKED IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS IN D(DRIVE). HOWEVER, THERE…
12/31/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10817217.0
2011 Jetta · visibility
IF THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW APPROXIMATELY 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED, OR DURING OPERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND FROM INDICATIONS ON THE INTERNET, IS A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM.
12/29/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11057496.0
2011 Jetta · electrical Fire
ON THIS VEHICLE, FUSE (F16 PLUG-IN POSITION) OVERHEATED AND DAMAGED THE FUSE BOX, CAUSING A PARTIAL LOSS OF EXTERIOR VEHICLE LIGHTING. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. VW ISSUED 97AM ACTION ALERT FOR EARLIER YEAR SAME MODELS, BUT…
12/29/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938608.0
2011 Jetta · wheels
FOR TWO YEARS PRIOR TO AUGUST 2016, I WENT INTO MY VW DEALER ONCE A MONTH BECAUSE THE CHECK TIRE LIGHT CAME ON. EACH TIME THEY JUST PUT AIR IN THE TIRES AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, AND EACH TIME I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE RIMS. ONCE OR TWICE THEY INSPECTED AND CLEANED THE RIMS…
12/29/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938652.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 11V196000 29/03/2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 JETTA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011

SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE ENGINE COULD STALL, OR THE HEADLIGHTS OR WIPERS COULD TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WHEN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF REPAIRS KITS ARE AVAILABLE. DEALERS WILL SEPARATE THE WIRING FOR THE HORN AND THE THEFT PROTECTION HORN FROM THE POWER SUPPLY OF THE CONVERTER BOX AND ROUTE THE WIRES TO SEPARATE FUSES TO CORRECT THE CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
severe NHTSA 11V466000 07/09/2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011

IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 639 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 178 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Volkswagen Jetta has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 639 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Other model years
2015 Jetta2014 Jetta2013 Jetta2012 Jetta2010 Jetta
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Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with volkswagen. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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